Reports

Strategic Plan

What is a Strategic Plan?

A Strategic Plan communicates guiding vision and sense of direction for the Parish to its members, staff, friends and benefactors. While it is a living document subject to ongoing revision, it sets priorities and guides day-to day decisions for professional staff and lay volunteer parish leaders alike. Culminating in joint work of the Pastoral and Finance Councils, it includes the Parish Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Goals articulating the Visions, and Strategies with timelines to achieve those Goals.

Vision Statement

We, the people of St. Mary’s Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, envision a Christ centered, welcoming community enriched by the gifts of a diverse heritage and continuing to grow in personal and communal holiness through sharing and living the Gospel message.

Mission Statement

We, the people of St. Mary’s Parish, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in the spirit of faith, service and community, strive to bring people closer together and closer to God, to know our faith, to live by truth and love, to serve the needs of other, to teach by example, and thereby, unify, strengthen and inspire our diverse parish family.

Parish Characteristics

St. Mary’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help was established in 1885 in the small railroad town of Albany, Oregon. Modeled after an abbey church in France, the second church building was dedicated in 1898 and soon followed the establishment of a parish school. This historic church served the community until it was destroyed by an arson fire in 1989. The third and current church was built over the next few years and officially opened in 1992. Due to economic/financial issues which unfortunately affected many parish schools around the nation, St. Mary’s school closed in 2013.

The growing Hispanic community in Albany during the early 1990’s led to the establishment of St. Mary’s Hispanic ministry. St. Mary’s has a diverse membership which is welcoming and inclusive.

St. Mary’s continues to have a special commitment to the needs of the poor and especially the homeless; and has a long history of working with other faith communities to address poverty. This has been manifested in the community meals/soup kitchen program which was established in the early 1980’s and continues today.

Vision & Goals

I. Liturgy

We the people of St. Mary’s OLPH will provide a Christ centered liturgy to engage and transform people utilizing music, hospitality, and a consistent Mass experience with committed liturgical ministers who are provided with ongoing training and support.

Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have a full-time music director and trained assistant directors that have increased participation in choirs by 200%. Choir participants will have diverse sets of skills with instruments and vocals. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have children participate in the liturgy at every weekend mass. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have one bilingual mass every weekend with Spanish/English translation materials. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): By 2023 OLPH will have a sacred space that conforms with the norms of the Catholic Church while honoring the history of OLPH and reflective of the parish community. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

II. Community Building

We the people of OLPH will strive to be recognized in the greater Albany area as an inviting, welcoming community where its members can grow in spirituality; and be known as an involved parish participating in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

Goal (What):Create an organizational structure to generate ideas and execute those ideas to drive community engagement within the parish by identifying a committee of 5-10 individuals that include one staff and one parish council member to become the central point of information and recruiting for volunteer activities. Initial formation by July 1, 2019 and fully functional by October 1, 2019. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What):Create an organizational structure to provide oversight and guidance to the operations of St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What):Foster ecumenism among local faith communities in the broader Albany area.  R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

III. Finance

We the people of OLPH will achieve financial security and become a self-sustaining parish to better serve our community.

Goal (What): Develop an annual proposed operations budget adopted in May every year which includes budget conversations with each ministry during February-March with proposed budget in April. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): Complete a presentation to the Pastoral and Finance Councils by risk management staff from the Archdiocese by June 30, 2019 to establish financial policies and procedures by [DATE]. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): Develop a fundraising plan to raise budgeted fundraising income by June 30, 2020.

IV. Buildings and Grounds

We the people of OLPH will maintain its historically significant buildings and grounds and provide a physical environment that is comfortable and inviting.

Goal (What): Develop a Master Plan by December 31, 2019 for facilities and grounds to include use of school, houses, rectory and parking. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): Develop facility use policies and procedures by June 30, 2020.   R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): Develop a Master Plan and budget for maintenance with timelines for maintenance and costs by June 30, 2020. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

V. Planning

We the people of St. Mary’s OLPH will be a mission-focused parish, striving continuously for improvement and growth in its capacity to proclaim and live the Gospel.

Goal (What): OLPH will achieve financial security and become a self-sustaining parish within 5 years by identifying and engaging volunteers to provide time, talent and treasure where and when needed. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): St.  Mary’s OLPH will implement a program [by date] that fosters open and continuous communication between parish community and church leadership by incorporating simple methods and seeking feedback. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform

Goal (What): OLPH will develop a stable staff of employees and volunteers that are responsive and engaged with the parish community and clergy who are fulfilled and fairly compensated, and have systems and people in place when change inevitably occurs. R=Responsible, A=Authorizing, C=Consult, I=Inform